Letter: Making our streets safer for pedestrians

As a 35-year business owner in the Gentry Waipio community, I and the community have lobbied and failed to get a crosswalk across Waipio Uka Street at the busy intersection of Waipio Uka and Moaniani streets. State Department of Transportation rules make it nearly impossible. The last review was done in 2015 and we “failed” the requirements of having a trend of three accidents as well as more than 20 people crossing Waipio Uka Street in one hour.

With the opening of Waipio Business Center, Costco and the upcoming Koa Ridge development, this intersection will soon see a tripling of pedestrian traffic. I have experienced two near-misses crossing Waipio Uka Street and heard of similar stories from others.

It seems extraordinarily complacent to wait for accidents or fatalities to occur before the Transportation Department moves into action. Perhaps the city can address this sooner.

Theresa Wee

Waipahu

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